David Lindsay-Abaire News

Meet Michael James Scott, playing 'Donkey' in The Muny's production of SHREK THE MUSICAL! In the video interview below, Scott discusses his experience with THE BOOK OF MORMON, his bonding time with the SHREK cast, where he got his start and a hilarious backstage story from his time at the Muny!

The Muny is currently presenting its second show of its fantastic 95th Season, Dreamworks Shrek The Musical, directed by John Tartaglia and choreographed by Vince Pesce. Stephen Wallem joins Julia Murney who plays Princess Fiona, Rob McClure as Lord Farquaad, Michael James Scott as Donkey, and Natalie Venetia Belcon as Dragon. This is director John Tartaglia's Muny directorial debut, after his critically-acclaimed performance as the Genie in last year's production of Disney's Aladdin. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights below!

Yesterday, the Kleban Foundation presented the 23rd annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre lyricist to Daniel Mate and the 23rd annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre librettist to Alan Gordon. Check out photos from the special ceremony below!

The original animated film Shrek was a kind of adult fairytale, though it was obviously aimed squarely at the youth market as well, successfully spawning a franchise with sequels and merchandising galore. So, it should come as no surprise that Dreamworks would opt to try their luck on stage with a musical version of their blockbuster hit. Happily, like the original, it's a cute and amusing production that will play equally well to children and their parents, who will certainly appreciate some of the more grown-up humor. Jeanine Tesori's score serves the play well, and is undeniably tuneful in execution, but the real treat here is David Lindsay-Abaire's clever book and lyrics, which peppers the dialogue and songs with a remarkable amount of wit. The current production of SHREK THE MUSICAL, which is playing at The Muny at Forest Park, is a cleverly mounted and thoroughly enjoyable show.

SHREK is a creative script. The Mercury Summer Stock production will delight many. This is a community theatre production, and, a fairly acceptable one.

After its smashingly successful run on Broadway in 2009, the Pulitzer Prize Finalist and comedic play, 'Becky Shaw' by Gina Gionfriddo makes its Michigan Premiere tonight, June 20 through July 28, 2013 with an all star cast and high-end designers at Performance Network Theatre, Michigan's most award winning professional theatre.

Gregory Boyd, Artistic Director of the Alley Theatre, announces the addition of the 2013 Tony Award-winning Best Play Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, by Christopher Durang, to the Alley Theatre's 2013-2014 season as the last Hubbard Stage production. Good People, by David Lindsay-Abaire, will be performed on the Neuhaus Stage from May 30 to June 29, 2014. Bertolt Brecht's The Good Woman of Setzuan will be moved to a future season.

Renee Elise Goldsberry will star in I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road, the final Encores! Off-Center presentation of the 2013 season, playing for five performances, July 24 - 27. The show will be directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, with music direction by Chris Fenwick. Jeanine Tesori is the Encores! Off-Centerartistic director. In keeping with City Center's founding mission to make the arts accessible to all and to attract younger audiences, the majority of tickets are $25.

Franklin School for the Performing Arts SummerStage presents Shrek the Musical on Saturday, July 13 at 2 and 6 p.m. at Showcase Live, Patriot Place in Foxboro. The full-length production is a stage musical adaptation of the 2001 Academy Award-winning, smash-hit animated movie. Based on the children's book by William Steig about a green ogre who saves a princess, the musical comedy spoofs fairy tale characters and themes and playfully pokes fun of pop culture. With sight gags, slapstick and tongue-in-cheek humor, Shrek offers nonstop family entertainment.

Kelrik Productions is pleased to announce the Central Coast Premier of SHREK THE MUSICAL to stage at the Spanos Theater, Performing Arts Center, San Luis Obispo. From July 12 - 21, 2013 audiences can fall in love with Shrek and his wise-ass sidekick, Donkey all over again.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The Tony Awards (aka New York thanks Chicago), 'Motown,' Cole and 'Kiss,' next season from BoHo, Marriott's latest, a new 'Rent,' The Second City and more!

Born and abandoned in the bathroom of a fast food restaurant, Bob travels across America determined to become a 'great' man. The Echo Theater Company presents the Los Angeles premiere of Peter Sinn Nachtrieb's hilarious, award-winning comedy, BOB: A Life in Five Acts. Echo artistic director Chris Fields helms the limited 4-week run, tonight, June 8 through June 30 at Atwater Village Theatre.

The Keegan Theatre will present David Lindsay-Abaire's Rabbit Hole, winner of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize, opening on June 28 at the Church Street Theater in Washington, DC.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announced today the acting company and creative team for Shrek The Musical, the Theater's annual summer family musical, directed and choreographed by Rachel Rockwell with music direction by Michael Mahler, July 13-September 1, 2013 in CST's Courtyard Theater. Based on the Academy Award-winning DreamWorks film and the book by William Steig, CST's 75-minute production ofShrek The Musical will take audiences on an unconventional fairy-tale adventure with everyone's favorite ogre. The production features two Jeff Award-winning actors: Michael Aaron Lindner as the lovable ogre Shrek and Summer Naomi Smart in her CST debut as the spunky Princess Fiona. In support of Mayor Emanuel's Summer of Learning Program, special activities will be offered in conjunction with Shrek The Musical for students to earn a "Bard Badge."

Winner of the Grand Jury and Audience Awards at the 2013 South by Southwest Film Festival, Destin Daniel Cretton's Short Term 12 is warmly empathetic look at a facility for at-risk teenagers, told through the eyes of the home's counselors (played by Brie Larson, John Gallagher Jr. and Rami Malek) and their young charges. Short Term 12 opens on August 23rd. Click below to watch the trailer, and scroll down to learn more aobut the actors and the roles they play!

After its smashingly successful run on Broadway in 2009, the Pulitzer Prize Finalist and comedic play, "Becky Shaw" by Gina Gionfriddo makes its Michigan Premiere on June 20 through July 28, 2013 with an all star cast and high-end designers at Performance Network Theatre, Michigan's most award winning professional theatre. Tickets can be purchased online at performancenetwork.org or by calling the theatre at 734-663-0681.

Terry Martin, WaterTower Theatre Producing Artistic Director, announced this evening the Company's 2013-2014 Main Stage season at a special VIP Sneak Preview held at the Addison Theatre Centre.

Million Dollar Quartet announces that this Saturday, May 26, 2013 marks the official date at which it becomes the longest-running musical production in Chicago's history. With 1,949 performances and 5 smash years in Chicago, the Tony Award-winning rock 'n' roll musical has surpassed both Wicked and Pumpboys and Dinettes, setting a new record for the longest running Broadway musical in Chicago.

Million Dollar Quartet announces that this Saturday, May 26, 2013 marks the official date at which it becomes the longest-running musical production in Chicago's history. With 1,949 performances and 5 smash years in Chicago, the Tony Award-winning rock 'n' roll musical has surpassed both Wicked and Pumpboys and Dinettes, setting a new record for the longest running Broadway musical in Chicago.

The Barn Theatre, Michigan's oldest professional summer theatre, under the artistic leadership of Brendan Ragotzy, announces its exciting 67th season lineup! The 2013 summer season of plays and musicals to be presented at the landmark theatre includes an array of family friendly endeavors, seat-gripping dramas, and fun and fresh new musicals!